he ordered flags at the white house and across the country to be lowered to half staff. karen travers has reaction from around the world. ♪ >> reporter: outside of the home where nelson mandela died, they sang in memory and mourning. >> great fighter, strong man. >> reporter: south africa's president delivered the long dreaded news. >> our nation has lost its greatest son. our people have lost their father. >> reporter: president obama praised the man he called a personal inspiration. >> we've lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this earth. >> reporter: that sense of historical loss ranged from royalty. >> extremely sad and tragic news. we are reminded what an extraordinary and inspiring man nelson mandela was. >> reporter: to regular people. >> is there a man who has more people aware of what he has contributed? >> reporter:. >> reporter: as a young man, nelson mandela faced daily humiliation of living under apartheid a system of government enforced racial division that lead to the oppres